Coral UK Open Qualifier 4 – Wigan Friday

Super Scot Gary Anderson takes the Coral UK Open 4 to seal his place in UK Open Finals.

Friday 19 Feb 2016

Article by &dash; PDPA

GARY ANDERSON cemented his qualification for the Coral UK Open by producing a stunning performance to defeat James Wade 6-1 in the final of Qualifier Four at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan.

Having missed the first three Qualifiers through illness a fortnight ago, Anderson wasted little time in securing his spot in Minehead next month as he posted an impressive 106 average to sweep aside the world number five and claim the £10,000 first prize.

An early break in the opening leg put Anderson in the driving seat, and after wiring tops for a 160 checkout in leg two the Scot quickly returned to clean up the remainder to take a 2-0 lead. Wade responded well and reduced the deficit to one, but Anderson was rampant and claimed the next four legs, including a match-high 86 checkout to clinch the victory and the £10,000 top prize.

Anderson made light work of Darren Webster and Mike De Decker in his opening two games, before arguably his biggest test came from Andrew Gilding at the last 32 stage, with the two-time World Champion squeezing through 6-5, before he saw off Mark Webster and Simon Whitlock to reach the last four.

Benito van de Pas, who had knocked out world number one Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals, was next for Anderson, and he proved too strong as he secured his final berth with a 6-4 scoreline.

Wade was equally as impressive in his route to the final as he quickly dispatched Robert Owen, William O’Connor and Joe Cullen by the same 6-2 scoreline to reach the last 16, where he overcame Kim Huybrechts 6-3.

The left-hander then comfortably overcame Jelle Klaasen in the quarter-finals and Terry Jenkins in the semis to reach the last two, before falling at the final hurdle. The run to the final leaves Wade on £6,500 in prize money after the four UK Open Qualifiers, with van Gerwen leading the way with £17,750.

After reaching the final of the Dutch Darts Masters in Venray last weekend, there was another strong display from Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney as he reached the quarter-finals by beating Arron Monk, Jerry Hendriks, Stephen Bunting and Yordi Meeuwisse before losing out to Jenkins.

Elsewhere, it was a disappointing day for Robert Thornton and Raymond van Barneveld as they were the highest-ranked casualties from the opening two rounds, losing to Dutch youngster Jeffrey De Graaf and Joe Cullen respectively.

Players will have two more chances to secure their place at the Coral UK Open Televised with the remaining Qualifiers taking place in Wigan on Saturday (February 20) and Sunday (February 21).